Eligibility Requirements & Pre-registration Program

​Eligibility for a Veteran

​The eligibility determinition process will be started at the time of need or can be completed ahead of time using the Pre-registration program.
Use the link on the lift if you are interested in utilizing the
Pre-registration​ program.

Eligibility is based on a veteran meeting military service and Wisconsin residency as listed below.

Military service requirement for burial in Wisconsin State Veterans Cemeteries must be in accordance with the eligibility standards as set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – National Cemetery Administration, and as a minimum must meet one of the following:

Veteran was discharged from “active duty” under other than dishonorable conditions, or

Veteran died while on “active duty”, or

Veteran served at least 20 years in the National Guard or Reserves and qualified for military retirement pay (or would have qualified except death occurred before age 60).​

Wisconsin state residency requirement for burial in state veteran cemeteries must meet one of the following:

Veteran was a Wisconsin resident at the time of entry or re-entry into military service, or

Veteran was a Wisconsin resident at the time of death, or

Veteran was a Wisconsin resident for at least 12 consecutive months after entering or reentering service on “active duty”.​

Note: There is no residency requirement for a veteran who dies while on “active duty”.

Eligibility for a Veteran's Family Members

Spouses, surviving spouse, and dependent children are eligible for interment even if the veteran is not buried or memorialized in a state veterans cemetery and the veteran would have met both military service and Wisconsin residency requirements. This includes, lost or buried at sea, missing or missing in action, or whose remains have been donated to science or cremated and the ashes scattered.

Eligibility Includes:

Surviving spouse of an eligible veteran that has been interred who remarries retains his or her eligibility for burial.

Any natural or adoptive child of an eligible veteran who are under the age of 18 years or who are under 26 years of age and pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution.

An adult child of an eligible veteran of any age if the child is physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical disability.​​